October is set to be a busy month for Marvel. This Wednesday, October 7th, marks the official launch of Midnight Universe, a new horror comics imprint that gives a superstar collective of writers and artists the chance to reimagine Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men through a macabre new lens. The anticipation for the first editions is growing: over a million copies have already been ordered and the second edition is planned for the end of the month. The House of Ideas will also be returning to New York Comic Con, starting later this week on October 8th and running through the weekend. There will be numerous guest panels, giveaways and a blockbuster show about the future of Marvel Television and Animation.
Marvel Comics’ growing partnership with WEBTOON will also be fully showcased during the event. Colliders Maggie Lovitt will host their joint That Time Deadpool Fell in a WEBTOON panel on Friday, October 9th, previewing one of the two comic giants’ first stories together, due out next year. Both companies’ presence at NYCC will also serve to announce their future together, following the announcement last year of a deal giving WEBTOON access to Disney’s war chest of iconic characters. This agreement has already brought several Marvel Comics classics to the South Korean-American webtoon platform in easy-to-read episodic formats, including Amazing Spider-Man (2022), avenger (2012) and Alien: Bloodlines. Before coming to the annual meeting, however, they banded together to change the way Marvel themes can be experienced digitally.
On November 16, the official Marvel Comics app launches as a new digital home to over 35,000 stories from the publisher’s storied history, as well as stories based on 20th Century Studios. star Warsand finally Walt Disney Pictures IP. Like Marvel Unlimited before it, this new platform will be available on mobile and PC, with WEBTOON bringing its expertise in intuitive digital comics hosting as both developer and operator. Issues can be read in either the traditional page-based format or by vertical scrolling, and new personalization options and search features are designed to make getting started easier than ever, from a cover-scroll interface that makes it easy to view hundreds of titles, to character and creator pages where you can keep track of their latest releases, and more. Readers can browse both archived comics and upcoming releases, and add newer titles to their pull list in advance.
How much will the new Marvel Comics app cost?
Subscriptions to the Marvel Comics app are divided into a basic tier and an ultimate tier. Both offer full access to the Marvel library, but basic subscribers have to wait three months for the latest editions after they go on sale, while end subscribers get them in just one month. The former will be available for $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year, while the latter will be available for $12.49 per month or $99.99 per year before taxes. However, if you register for the Marvel Comics app in advance on the official website can claim one year of the ultimate tier at the founding membership price of $59.99however, after this year the price will increase to the normal year-end rate. As a cherry on top, Marvel Unlimited subscribers can transfer their reading history to the new app. NYCC visitors can also stop by booth #2453 to get their first look at a beta version of the app in action. You can also register in advance and take advantage of the discount for founding members on site. The first 2,000 fans will even receive a limited edition printed Marvel Comics ID card.
David AbdoGeneral Manager of Marvel Comics and Franchises, sees WEBTOON’s partnership in developing the new Marvel Comics app as an opportunity to modernize the traditional comics company’s digital approach. “We know there is a large audience of readers who want to experience comics digitally, and there is no richer library than Marvel Comics,” he said in an official statement. “We are excited to partner with WEBTOON, the industry leader in this space, to create a new app that can continue to grow and evolve with the way readers discover and experience comics.” The webcomic giant has quickly become a global platform for creative stories and now reaches over 155 million monthly active users. In a separate statement, the president of WEBTOON Entertainment said Yongsoo Kim expressed confidence that the company has created a platform worthy of carrying Marvel’s legacy into the digital future.
“The Marvel Comics app represents a new chapter in helping fans connect with the stories they love. By combining WEBTOON’s expertise in building digital comics platforms with Marvel’s unparalleled storytelling heritage, we are making it easier for both longtime fans and new readers to explore Marvel’s universe and discover their next favorite story.”
The new Marvel Comics app, developed and operated by WEBTOON, launches November 16th. Stay tuned here at Collider for more information as the date approaches.
